South Puget Sound Vibrio Closures

Growing areas in south Puget Sound which had been closed due to vibriosis traced to oysters harvested commercially from those growing areas have been allowed to re-open. As part of the vibrio control plan, when a growing area's oysters have caused four or more consumers to contract vibriosis within a 30 day period the area is automatically closed until October 1.

Growing areas in south Puget Sound which had been closed included Oakland Bay, Totten Inlet, Pickering Passage, Eld Inlet, and Henderson Inlet. Also included in the closures and now allowed to re-open is Samish Bay.

The Department of Health will release statistics to help determine whether the heightened awareness and steps implemented were able to control the number of illnesses contracted from oysters harvested from Puget Sound.

Vibrio Closure/Re-opening in South Puget Sound

Closures/re-openings of south Puget Sound growing areas

to commercial harvesting of oysters continues.

Closures to commercial harvesting of oysters

due to Vibrio parahaemolytius, as of 8/16. 

As a result of sampling for the naturally occurring bacterium Vibrio parahaemolytius the Department of Health has closed Hammersley Inlet. This is now the second time Hammersley Inlet has been closed due to elevated levels of Vp, the first being in mid-July when levels of the naturally occurring bacterium caused both Totten Inlet and Hammersley Inlet to be closed. It had been re-opened for a short time.

After the mid-July closure, Totten Inlet was re-opened July 31 but then closed again on August 7 due to illnesses reported from oysters harvested in that area.  As a result of closer analysis, the number of illnesses reported was apparently incorrect so it has been re-opened, with stricter cooling times in place.

It remains to be seen whether the minus tides and warmer than normal temperatures last week will result in additional closures.  The combination creates an environment which results in an increase of naturally occurring bacteria, something felt to be an increasing probability. DOH suggested to shellfish growers they "make good decisions" if they were planning on harvesting. DOH suggests consumers not eat raw oysters during the summer months [for recreational harvesting click here for DOH web site].